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Author Archive | G. Jolliffe

Saving Seeds – Start Now

Saving seeds is something we gardeners should probably be doing a lot more of. It has been at the back of my mind for a while.  I save as many as I can and it really easy to do. I was very inspired by a visit to Irish Seed Savers. SAVING SEEDS FOR OUR CHILDREN’S […]

Harvesting peas from the rocky wilderness garden

At last, the time has come for my favourite job in the garden  –  harvesting peas. If you’re still at the growing/sowing stage you might like to read a little bit about growing peas here. Or if you have raised beds you might like to read this.  At the moment I have more of a […]

RAGWORT

A MARE’S WHAT? Part of this coming bank holiday weekend is going to be dedicated to a certain Ragwort; AKA St. James-wort, Ragweed, Stinking Nanny/Ninny/Willy, Staggerwort, Dog Standard, Cankerwort, Stammerwort, or the equally charming Mare’s Fart. Here and now in Ireland we think of Ragwort as a horrible weed, toxic, allergy causing and a pain in […]

Butterflies in Galway

We haven’t been seeing too many butterflies in Galway this year but I am glad to say that lately they seem to be making a return. I see plenty of them fluttering around the garden but for some strange reason I also seem to be finding a lot of butterflies in the house. The one above […]

Yellow Butterfly

Last year we had a beautiful summer here in Galway Bay. Did I really just say that about Galway? If you’ve ever been to Galway you’ll know we have a lot of rain and grey skies. One day I noticed a lovely earthy smell in the air and it made me want to get out […]

Growing peas.

A friend looked around my garden the other day and asked me if I went to bed dreaming about peas – well no, but I do like them and I suppose I have planted quite a few. I have planted them before and haven’t had any disasters with them. As for peas, well I find […]

Broad beans

Last year I planted loads of broad beans and they grew very well and tasted delicious. I planted the beans in the ground in straightish rows and supported them with branches I gathered while out walking. They were lovely and tasty with very little effort. This year is different. At the moment I have just […]

Slug and egg

Here we are at July 15th already – we’re in Galway Bay and it hasn’t rained for two whole weeks. If you’ve never been to Galway you won’t know how amazing that is but for those of us who live here it feels like a glorious sunny dream. The weather has been dry and hot […]

Growing Brassica In A Raised Bed

The fourth raised bed is for growing brassica, but this bed must wait until I get another delivery of soil. I have used up my ton of soil, filing just three beds. BUT WHAT’S A BRASSICA? I thought it would be a bed full of leafy stuff but I have just learned that Brassica include swedes […]

Growing Carrots In A Raised Bed

My third raised bed is designated as the ROOT BED and I have decided to devote it to the honourable task of growing carrots. GROWING CARROTS Carrots are a vegetable we eat a lot of. We have carrots in almost everything and I love them raw as well. They are probably much cheaper to buy […]

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